Keeping Shabbos in Hollywood

I thought they said, "You'll never work in this town again!" only in old movies.

Shortly after I first started keeping Shabbos, I got my first job as a staff writer on a sit-com. It was the 99th rated show out of 99 in prime time. Not that this has anything to do with the story, I've just always thought that was cool.

There wasn't much to do the first week, and it was August when the sun sets relatively late, so we finished work before there was any conflict. The second week was different. Friday rolled around and we were finishing just in time for me to be able to make it home for candle lighting. I lived close to the studio, so as long as we wrapped it up quickly, I'd make it home by the skin of my teeth.

It was one of those meetings that wanted desperately to end. However, each time it was about to, someone invariably raised another point. And then another. I was sitting in front of a large picture window watching the sun get lower and lower in the sky. It finally came to the point that if I didn't leave right away I wasn't going to make it.

I didn't know what to say or do. Having had no previous experience keeping Shabbos in the work place, I hadn't thought of raising it with my Executive Producers earlier. This much I knew, several minutes before sundown was not the time to launch into a discourse about my religious beliefs. In other words, I was stuck. So, I did the only thing I could think of. I got up, and without any ceremony, I left. They must have thought I was going to the bathroom. But I never came back.

Running to the car, I remember thinking that for a day of rest, this was causing a lot of anxiety. I had to talk to my Executive Producers, explain my situation, and hope they'd be supportive.

After the weekend, I went in with my partner, and asked if I could leave a few hours early Friday night so that I could keep the Sabbath. They said, "No". Then they asked if I still wanted to do this, because if I did, they were going to replace me. In other words, work on Shabbos, or you're fired.

When I got home, I called my agent. He asked me what I wanted to do. I told him that I wasn't going to work on Shabbos. He told me that if that was the case then I wasn't going to work in television again.

This was an amazing moment. Hollywood moguls are famous for saying, "You'll never work in this town again!" – but I thought that only happened in old movies. Now, here I was, and not only was someone actually saying it – they were saying it to me!

The next day I told my partner I wasn't going to work. He understood, but he told me that he was going to try and stay on the show without me. I didn't blame him. After all, he wasn't even Jewish. Not only that, but people try for years to break into sitcom. This was a big break for him too, and he had every right to see what it might lead to.

In many respects this was the most critical moment of my life. I had been extraordinarily blessed. I had achieved my goal of going to Harvard College, writing for the Lampoon, and breaking into Hollywood. But despite all this, something was missing.

Relating to this, I heard a teaching that for years I thought came from a great nineteenth century Hassidic Master. Later I learned it was from a tattooed biker in recovery. Not only doesn't that take anything away from the insight, I think it makes it even more relatable.

He said, "all of us are created with a God shaped hole inside of us." We try to fill it with career achievements, drugs, relationships, money, but none of these things fill it except God, precisely because it's a God shaped hole.

I needed to know where "success" was taking me, and perhaps even more importantly, where it was stopping me from going.

Modern society cynically views religion as a crutch, but nothing could be further from the truth. The quest for spirituality is an expression of a longing built into us by God Himself. For some us that inner voice becomes loudest during tragic times. For others, me included, it becomes clearest during times of plenty. It says, all these opportunities are great – but there has to be something more to life!

I no longer had confidence that blindly climbing the ladder of success was going to lead me to better and better places. I needed to know where "success" was taking me, and perhaps even more importantly, where it was stopping me from going. I realized then that if I couldn't take my soul along on the journey, then no matter how far I got, it was ultimately a dead end.

The pressure was definitely building. I was about to lose my job, my partner, and I was told that I wouldn't work in television again. But somehow, despite this, I remained calm. Maybe I wouldn't work in my chosen field, but in my heart, I knew that nothing bad was going to come from keeping Shabbos.

My agents marched in, and met with the studio head, and the Executive Producers. To my amazement, behind closed doors, all of the parties actually turned out to be respectful and supportive.

Now before I accept a job I always discuss Shabbos. Despite the stereotypes people have of the entertainment industry, I've been consistently touched by how positively both Jews and non-Jews alike respond.

Judaism teaches that when you're in the middle of a hardship you'd give anything to have it go away. But if you get through it successfully, you wouldn't exchange the experience for anything. God gave me a great gift. He could have made the entire process easy for me. But instead, He gave me the opportunity to take a stand for what I believe in. Perhaps for this reason, this remains for me the proudest moment of my life.

Since then, life has never been the same. Come sundown Friday, no matter what's going on, no matter how busy I am, everything disappears and the only thing that remains is Shabbos. Holy Shabbos.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 36

(34)
Ellen,
February 5, 2013 10:41 PM

Keeping halacha at work

I once accepted a job on condition that I could take off for Jewish holidays. Shabbos wasn't an issue because I finished at 3. But when yontif rolled around and I let them know I would be out for a few days, I was put on probation. I was told I should have gotten it in writing. I ended up changing fields-- now my frumkeit is an asset, not a liability.

(33)
Nancy I. Klein,
February 5, 2013 9:36 PM

Glad to be reminded of your journey

David, I just read your post on Aish .com. It remkinded me how proud we were when you took that stand in Hollywood. And the rest is history. Hope you are all well. Best regards.

(32)
Avi Sacks,
February 5, 2013 5:21 PM

Yes my name is Sacks also.

I am not the best Jew.
But Shabbat is Holy to me and will remain so.

(31)
Chaya Beiler,
July 26, 2007 6:03 AM

Shabbas

David thanks for a wonderful article and for having the courage to stand by your belief.Chaya Beiler (Bea)

(30)
Loyce Kenneday,
July 17, 2006 12:00 AM

Beautiful inspiring story

I was very gratified to read Mr. Sacks' story of Shabbos in Hollywood. Though I am a Christian woman, I deeply respect and cherish Jewish people. His courage in standing up for his beliefs and his heritage were very inspiring.

(29)
Avi,
April 1, 2006 12:00 AM

A kosher side to Hollywood?

Dear Mr. Sacks,
Born and raised in an Orthodox, I've always found myself interested in film but not so much in religion. I have been spending this past academic year in Yeshivas Netsach in Jerusalem and have recently decided to take the path of a chozer b'teshuva and return to
Judaism. I had begun to write off the idea of becoming a screen writer
due to the atmosphere found in Hollywood, which I believe may be
detrimental to my spiritual growth. Up until now. While surfing the
web I came upon aish.com where I found David Sacks' article "Keeping
Shabbos in Hollywood" which then brought me to the JIF website. What
you seem to be doing is amazing and I was wondering if there were any
connections at Aish HaTorah I could speak to. I plan on being in
Jerusalem, at Netsach, for at least another year but would like to get
a start on learning about the "kosher" side of Hollywood. I hope to
hear from you soon. Thanks.

-Avi

P.S. The contact email adress (contact@jewishimpactfilms.com) does not seem to work.

(28)
Sarah Israel,
March 26, 2006 12:00 AM

Desperation leads to Inspiration

Everything is Gamxe la Tovah "All is for the Best you just have to understand what the best is. It may not be what you want at the time.

(27)
Igor,
March 26, 2006 12:00 AM

Need Some Advice From Mr. Sacks

I am an aspiring Hollywood writer. I strongly desire to become a screenwriter. However, I am also interested in developing myself as an observant Jew. Unfortunately, I believe that I will have to choose between the two one day. I was wondering if you can help me, and/or lend me some wisdom on the subject, since you yourself were in the same compromising situation.

Thank you,
Igor

(26)
Shilah,
March 15, 2006 12:00 AM

to "anonymous": flee idolatry, please.

Dear "anonymous", several things in your letter concerned me, but I'll only address one comment : "When you go to work, you abide by the rules of the company, not by your religion." My friend, please remember that all human beings -- not only the "religious" ones -- are commanded to put G-d first. To put anything else in first place -- anyone, any cause, any pleasure, ANYTHING-- is to commit idolatry. What good does idolatry do you? Idols can't realy help you. They distract you from your troubles, but they can't really help; only G-d can do that. Do you see? The company should place itself under the rule of G-d, and honor G-d by putting Him first. Whenever there's a conflict between the ways of man and the ways of G-d, we must obey G-d first. Not only does this bring joy to HaShem, and benefits (rest, joy, health, etc) to us, but also it reminds the frazzled, work-worn people that G-d is good, He cares for His creation, His ways are good for us. Is there anyone who wouldn't benefit from being reminded of this? I would think that TV producers, especially, need to hear & see this reminder. Far from it being wrong of Mr. Sacks to leave the meeting: it would have been wrong for him to stay and let his fellow workers think it's fine for them to continue wearing themselves out.
..before I converted, I was an "observant Christian"; I refused to work on Sundays. I had no trouble with employers about hat, perhaps because I explained that I had found that if I rested on one day a week regularly, I worked better the other 6 days. Now I keep Shabbat, and work on Sundays through Friday midafternoon. I still have no problem with this; perhaps because people realize that someone so dedicated to honoring G-d with their time, will also be diligent & honest. Believe me: it is good to follow the ways of G-d.

(25)
Anonymous,
March 12, 2006 12:00 AM

I worked in a public school for 28yrs and was the only Jewish teacher who stayed home for all the yomim tovim Once an asst principal asked me
the following 'Why can't YOU people celebrate your holidays on the weekend?' i tried to explain the lunar calendar concept to him and never really knew if he understood. It didn't matter to me I did not have a problem leaving on time for
Shabbat, but the administration did not like having to pay for subs for all the holidays When i retired after 28 yrs, i had 6 days unused when others had 100 or over BUT i had the satisfaction of knowing that the days left were not because i ever desecrated the Shabbat or Holidays. I must tell you, that some of those days i took were also for brisim and the birth of granddtrs as well How could my time have been spent better? Shabbat Shalom

(24)
Daniela,
March 12, 2006 12:00 AM

Life in Israel can sometimes be quite the same

Take this food for thought as a bitter pill - now that EL AL is privately owned, and there are no laws in Israel stopping them like there are here in the US, at every interview flight attendant applicants are asked if they keep Shabbos, or if they are willing to work on Saturdays and Holidays. If you ask why they want to know or if it makes a difference, they don't answer you. Asked whether it really does make a difference, a flight attendant on a flight last year stated emphatically that they absolutely DO NOT hire Shomrei Shabbat and Yom Tovim as flight attendants. They don't want to have to deal with scheduling people who can't come to work because of Shabbos or Yom Tov. Just a small example.

Almost everyone in Israel who's a Torah Jew who works for non-frum Jews have a hard time with taking off work. It's true, Gentiles are more respectful about religious observance (much of the time they think it's really cool), but only when there is real consistency they can detect. Funny enough, it's the less observant Jews that have more of a problem taking off work a lot of the time, because Gentiles see them as not taking their religion seriously so why should they take them seriously. Once they see true seriousness, they either back off or find themselves having to hire someone else.

As to the comment from the person who said, "This is America..." etc, if I may, (btw I happen to get the impression this is a 20 something female), eventually when she grows up and works in the real world for a little while longer, she'll understand that the American Dream of living to work instead of working to live will start to wane a bit. Life will start to seriously lack some meaning for her, and then she'll really start to question where her priorities have been all her life ! Hopefully sometime soon she'll start to realize that maybe what America really is all about, is being able to enjoy religious freedom so you can work rather than working so you can have religious freedom ! Yes, I think it's time she started taking some classes at Aish ! :)

(23)
Andy,
March 10, 2006 12:00 AM

Why be Jewish?

The [first comment] person who wrote this is America speaks for the great masses. He has no idea how far removed he is from his Jewish roots. It is almost certainly not his fault.I think that natural attitude towards making a "success" in the USA is the reason the Torah giants in Europe were so concerned about the dangers involved in immigrating. Aish and others in the Torah observant community need to continue to try and reach those who honsetly believe that being Jewish does not involve the obligation to study, teach and keep the commandments.

(22)
David Shapiro,
March 10, 2006 12:00 AM

Mr. Sacks:
From someone who made similar decisions recently and who was still granted the project, I salute you. My hope is that you, through thought-provoking work for a worldwide audience, inspire millions to adhere to their GD-related principles and beliefs.

(21)
Rachel,
March 9, 2006 12:00 AM

Not true aliyah makes keeping shabbes in a non observant work environment all easy

Actually I have found outside of Israel, gentiles more respectful of religious practice than Israeli Jews. It is very difficult to make it in the arts and culture as an immigrant and naive to think firstly that they won't have the same demands of one to work on shabbes or that indeed making aliyah is some panacea to all evils that makes everything alright.

(20)
daniel antopolsky,
March 9, 2006 12:00 AM

Hollywood and Shabbos

All the good of Shabbos just begins to pour in, but first a few little "no's" must be said and followed through....."no work on Shabbos---make room for Shabbos, and it pours in!"

(19)
Deborah Scop,
March 7, 2006 12:00 AM

I can relate

When I first got to my "big" job writing news for a major cable television network I was thrilled, until I too had to face comments like the author described. One of my first days there, one of the producers told me, "You'll never get anywhere in this business if you don't work on Saturday." That was not an option. Lucky for me, a 24-hour Cable news network allows for a Sunday-Thursday shift but I always had to work on Sundays. A bummer when you'd like to have a normal weekend. Ah well. I stayed in that job for seven years. Now I have the best job in the world, and I set my own schedule, taking the best care of my two children, and helping my husband build a Bayis Ne'eman B'Yisroel.

(18)
Chani Hadad,
March 7, 2006 12:00 AM

Solve your problem

Anyone who is challenged by the Friday workday should make Aliyah. Shabbos is a gift from G-d, though many of us don't learn to appreciate this glorious gift in our early years. G-d, in His infinite wisdom, generosity, and love, also gifted us a land, though many Jews have yet to learn to appreciate it.

(17)
Anonymous,
March 7, 2006 12:00 AM

Way to go!

I am from the generation that started COLPA - Commission on Law and Public Affairs - a group that fought the kind of discrimination you faced. Until then, if you were a Sabbath Observer, you just didn't get certain jobs! May you be blessed with much Hatzlacha and Mazel and Success!!

(16)
Anonymous,
March 7, 2006 12:00 AM

congratulations on putting principles first!

I'm so glad you had a positive outcome from your courageous unwillingness to surrender your beliefs! I have had similar eventual luck when I made leaving early for Shabbos a bottom line in any job, & I have faced much discrimination over the years because of it -- & mainly from my JEWISH employer, who is very snide & insulting about this issue even though he allows me to leave early for Shabbos & make up the lost time. I have found that NON-JEWS respect the need for Jewish observance more than (self-hating?) JEWS do! When you take a stand to put G-d first, you can never go wrong despite what it may seem or feel like initially. When you make up your mind to do right by G-d, He always does right for YOU! The first response by that mean-spirited supposed Jew misses many points entirely! Just becaue you work does not mean you must suspend your religion! This is a hallmark of the American democracy, + why we have anti-religious-discrimination LAWS including the one to the effect that an employer must try to make a reasonable accommodation to legitimate religious observance. I wonder what this "Jew" says about Christmas being a national holiday, for example!!! I would not be at all surprised if he has double & triple standards, & saves his main venom for JEWS & JEWISH observances!! He should rather try respecting others & their principled practices, with gratitude that we live in a country where we are free to express them in appropriate ways and are accepted even if our religion is in the minority! He is truly pathetic, & HE is the real loser, when he puts everything secular above anything spiritual & important! The person who knows that being a Jew comes first in life is the real winner!

Anonymous,
March 6, 2013 5:55 PM

Don't be bothered by your Jewish employer

The non-Jews in your workplace are able to be relatively laid back or even positive about your observance because it doesn't make a claim on them or threaten them. You should be thankful that your Jewish employer is not indifferent because it shows that the door is still open,

(15)
Andy,
March 7, 2006 12:00 AM

strange reward

I much respect MR Sacks for valuing shabbos observance over keeping his sitcom writing job. It seems clearly an act of Kiddush HaShem. I can't help thinking that that it may have been a great blessing if he would have lost his job and had to leave the sitcom writing business where promoting the opposite of Torah values seems to be it's lifeblood. Evidently G-d had other plans.

(14)
Ben,
March 6, 2006 12:00 AM

Televsion and spirituality

I'm glad Mr. Sacks could make the very difficult decision to keep Shabbos rather than work, but I'm troubled by his continuing to work in the least-spiritual job possible. Televison is a vast wasteland of values that are counter to Torah values. How can he rationalize that he is keeping Shabbos while workign for an industry that does everything in its power to destroy Shabbos?

(13)
Devorah Mei,
March 6, 2006 12:00 AM

America versus Judaism ?

To the anonymous person who wrote about :This is America, thus be an American!
You need to take a dive into your Torah (I pray you have one), because you are missing the point! David Sacks is NOT American first, and afterwards Jewish like yourself, but the other way around. Our primer goal in life is to comply with whatever HaShem demanded from us....and afterwards with men made rules. First come the honor of Shabbat, which is a everlasting covenant given to the Jewish people by HaShem it self. Even powerfull America can't change that!

We don't live to work...we work in order to have a good life!
We obey HaShem in order to be blessed. We keep the commandments because we are Jewish, not because we are Americans. This man is honoring our G-D, not the validation of others.
Take a day off and meditate about those values which you seams to be missing. Don't you know that as a Jew you have a different task in this world? I pray you discover your way to HaShem...and a new life of inner peace, holiness and happiness that only HaShem can bring and sustain for us!
Shalom from Israel

Devorah

(12)
Michael,
March 6, 2006 12:00 AM

All right for some.

Devorah from Israel misses the point or is otherwise detached from wider world reality the rest of us live with. In Israel you can do Shabbos and the right to do so is enshrined in law. In every other country you either work or you are on welfare, or even worse the street. Is this Jewish?

Yehoshua Friedman,
March 6, 2013 5:47 PM

In Israel there are real problems, too

There are whole sectors of the economy which are working on Shabbat in Israel and it makes it difficult for observant people to work in them. Examples: Airlines and airport, broadcasting, entertainment, tourism, retailing in large malls which are open on Shabbat. The small businesses which obey the law to close on Shabbat are being squeezed out by the large shoppin malls on kibbutzim and elsewhere which are open 7 days a week. This is not only a religious problem but a social justice issue because people in these industries do not have a uniform day off to be together with their families. They get days off but they are staggered so that they are often not home when their families are. There are people working to deal with this problem, but the difficulties are great.

(11)
Stuart L. Meyer,
March 6, 2006 12:00 AM

The attitude described clearly violates EEOC regs and would be prosecuted by them or permission to sue granted.

The criterion for employers not to run afoul of anti-discrimination laws is that they have made all "reasonable accommodation" of your needs. I have been an expert witness for the EEOC on what "reasonable accommodation" means in business. Requiring you to stay late on Friday nights is not reasonable.

(10)
a. nony mous,
March 6, 2006 12:00 AM

influence hollyweird

glad the author keeps shabbos. what can he and his associates do to change a hollywood that permits a spielberg distortion (munich) or the arab film that makes nice about suicide murderers????

(9)
Anonymous,
March 5, 2006 12:00 AM

excellent perspective on an old problem

Our grandparents who emmigrated to america had the same problem but they had less support for their religious needs and they were insecure because they were immigrants.
His ananlysis of his spiritual needs are beautifully expressed.
I would like a copy of the story from last week re: Dr. Rahamim Melemed-Cohen. Thank you so much.

(8)
Leslie Otis,
March 5, 2006 12:00 AM

Special priviledges

So Producers are willing to make concessions to above-the-line workers that would never be given to below-the-line crew members. What else is new?

Our work on sit-coms is scheduled for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, let alone Friday nights, and our only choice is to miss work,losing us not only salary, but hours towards our pension and health plan.

(7)
Adam,
March 5, 2006 12:00 AM

incredibly moved by this story

I am moved to tears by David Sack's article "Keeping Shabbos in Hollywood." I used to work in television, and had a very difficult time with employers because I keep Shabbos. Now I'm in law school and am worried about running into similar problems when I go to work for a firm. This story has reaffirmed for me that what I'm doing is wholly good.

(6)
arlenezilker,
March 5, 2006 12:00 AM

Hollywood has been blessed by you

Shavoah Tov

(5)
Laura,
March 5, 2006 12:00 AM

you'll like this!

You probably already have this, but in case you don't here it is! Thanks again for another beautiful Shabbos to all the amazing Schwartzes (I feel like you are becoming my extended family, uh-oh for you)!

(4)
Anonymous,
March 5, 2006 12:00 AM

A Wonderful Story

Kol Ha Kavod!

(3)
Tzvi Nightingale,
March 5, 2006 12:00 AM

Nice

What a refreshingly alternative perspective than listening to the egos and their drivel on tonight’s Academy Awards.

(2)
Yehuda,
March 5, 2006 12:00 AM

When you believe in Haheshem, there's always hope.

This could happen almost anywhere - even in Israel. I have basses who are jewish, but not religious, one of which couldn't care less about religion. Every year, when I tell him I won't be working on Purim, he makes as if he nebver heard of vacationing on Purim. And I have been working for him since January 1984...

(1)
Anonymous,
March 5, 2006 12:00 AM

This is America so be American!

I just don't get it. yes we all have the right and should have the right to live our lives and our religious and cultural beliefs in the ways that we wish. At the same time we cannot just come and go and do away with meetings etc just because of Shabbos. I mean why should everyone else have to stay behind at the meeting while you get to go home. If you leave everyone should be able to leave. I am Jewish but am not very tolerant when people's personal lives interrupt the work place. Living in America doesn't mean you have separate rights than others depending on your religion. Your families came to this country to live a better life, that includes earning a living. When you go to work, you abide by the rules of the company, not by your religion. The two cannot always coincide. We all need balance in our lives and it is great if you can acheive it at both home and the workplace, but that shouldn't really be the main agenda while at work. It is called work, because that is what it is...work. The point of immigrating to America was to be able to go to work, then go home and enjoy religious, cultural freedoms. While at work you work together as a team, not looking for ways to have people accept your particular beliefs and expressions of those beliefs! They don't have to accept it, just as you don't have to accept theirs, it shouldn't be a part of the workplace for the most part. Sometimes it can't be helped, but for the most part, working should't interfere with home and vise versa!

I’ve been dating a young woman for the past two years and we are starting to think about marriage. The problem is that she is not Jewish. I would want her to convert, but in a way where there would be no doubt about its validity, so that we and our kids don’t have problems later on. How do you recommend that I proceed?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

I appreciate your desire to do the right thing and proceed in an authentic way.

The process of conversion is challenging and involves a process of a year or two. This benefits the person converting, to ensure he fully appreciates the responsibilities he is taking on.

According to the Code of Jewish Law (Shulchan Aruch), a valid conversion replicates the experience at Mount Sinai of 3,300 years ago, when the Jewish nation accepted the Torah. For your friend to convert, she must:

believe that Judaism is the true religion, not just accept it by default

study what it says in the Torah

commit to observe all the Torah's commandments

Further, a conversion must be motivated for the sincere purpose of getting close to God and His Torah, not for ulterior motives. Thus, your friend would have to embrace Judaism and the Torah for its own sake, not in order to marry you. She should have the exact same desire to convert even with you entirely out of the picture.

If your friend studies Judaism and feels it is right for her, she would then approach an Orthodox conversion court and explain her situation. The court would then decide if it feels she is a sincere candidate for conversion. If yes, she would begin the lengthy process of studying and practicing to become a true convert.

Of course, to have a successful relationship, you will also need a high level of appreciation and commitment to Judaism. Perhaps you could begin your own study program to discover how Torah values enhance our lives and form the bedrock of civilization.

You should endeavor to live near a Jewish community which has adult education programs, rabbis you can consult with, Shabbat hospitality programs, etc.

In 1273 BCE (Jewish year 2488), Moses completed his farewell address to the Jewish people, and God informed Moses that the day of his death was approaching (Deut. 31:14). Amazingly, the anniversary of Moses' completing his teaching coincides with the date in 1482 of the first printing of the standard format used for Jewish Bibles today: vowel signs, accents, translation (Targum), and Rashi commentary.

Lack of gratitude is at the root of discontent. In order to be consistently serene, we must master the attribute of being grateful to the Creator for all His gifts. As the Torah (Deuteronomy 26:11) states, "Rejoice with all the good the Almighty has given you." This does not negate our wanting more. But it does mean that we have a constant feeling of gratitude since as long as we are alive, we always have a list of things for which to be grateful.

[Solomon] was wiser than all men (I Kings 5:11), even wiser than fools (Midrash).

What does the Midrash mean by "wiser than fools"?

A man of means was once a Sabbath guest at the home of the Chofetz Chaim. He insisted upon paying the sage in advance for the Sabbath meals - an insulting demand. To everyone's surprise, the Chofetz Chaim accepted the money.

After the Sabbath the Chofetz Chaim forced the guest to take the money back. He explained, "Had I refused to accept the money before the Sabbath, the thought that he was imposing upon me might have distracted from the man's enjoying the spirit of the Sabbath. Although it was foolish of him to feel this way, I wished to put his mind at rest."

Not everyone thinks wisely all the time. Some people have foolish ideas. Yet if we oppose them, they may feel they have been wronged. Insisting on the logic of our own thinking may not convince them in the least. In such instances, it may require great wisdom to avoid offending someone, yet not submitting to his folly.

By accepting his guest's money, knowing that he would return it to him after the Sabbath, the Chofetz Chaim wisely accommodated this man's whim without compromising on his own principles.

A wise person may be convinced by a logical argument, but outsmarting a fool truly requires genius.

Today I shall...

try to avoid offending people whom I feel to be in the wrong, without in any way compromising myself.

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